Ears are main post Covid complaint

Posted by dloos @dloos, Sep 12, 2023

Anybody else with ears being your main post Covid complaint?

I’m sixteen plus months of feeling underwater with ear pressure. My symptoms started after I thought I was fully recovered from a moderate case of Covid. Six weeks after Covid infection we went to Hawaii. The plane flight seemed to trigger these ear issues.

It started just as the ear pressure thing, but over these last many months it has cascaded into, tinnitus, hyperacusis, dizziness, blurry vision, and just as a bonus I get intermittent swollen nasal passages. It’s as if my whole head is closing up on me. Not surprisingly I’m now pretty anxious because I’m not stable, and the ear pressure and other symptoms continue to worsen.

I see reference to ear issues now and then, but with most people it seems to be their lesser issue. Believe me I count my blessings that I have had very little pain, but my symptoms have me going nuts.
I’d love to hear from any others out there who might be similar to me.
I’ve been to a couple dozen different doctors, and really no one has a clue. I have seen multiple ENTs, Neurologist, Endocrinologist, Audiologist, Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, Naturopath, Acupuncturist, Chiropractors, Vascular Specialist, and of course my PCP. Trust me, I am not an hypochondriac, though it does look like I might be. Until this, many times a few years would go by without my seeing a doctor.
I now know I sure took my good health for granted.
So, if you’re out there, I ‘d like to hear how you’re coping, and if you have found any answers.
Thanks.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

@joannadarnell

I feel like all of Long Covid is about old injuries, traumas, weaknesses. I have been dealing with many LC symptoms for a little over a year now. Almost every time i read someone's question/complaint i have to double check to make sure i didn't write it.

I had an old infection/injury to my left ear and am plagued with pulsatile tinnitus, chronic fluid behind that ear since my covid infection. Also, which i believe is a neurological symptom, extra sensitive to sound (hyperacuis). Sadly, nothing helps.

I do feel that everything has gotten better (fatigue, ear symptoms, POTs like symptoms, palpitations, BP disregulation with severe HTN, gi issues, brain fog) with use of: Nattokinease, increased dose of Vit D3 + K2, Pine extract for immune support, probiotics, digestive enzymes, Tri Magnesium, Zinc with occasional use of Vit c supplement, Sleep, Tapping/EFT, meditation, a senolytique Fisitin, a beta blocker and a calcium channel blocker, Amlodipine. Phew.

So grateful to be a part of this group because initially i was given a psych consult for my bp 200's/70 and my fatigue (I woke up suddenly like this, unable to even walk across the room without SOB and heartrate in 150's). I was previously a runner. now i can walk. Sometimes, i can "joggle" a few minutes.

Wishing you all the best on this Healing journey.

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Oh, PS, forgot to mention the general tinnitus! LOL

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@dloos

kspoon
I’m sorry to say I have not found anything that gives relief. It is an endurance test everyday of pressure in my head, tinnitus and hyperacusis. In addition my eyes are blurry and burn. My doctor prescribes Klonopin for me which I use on especially bad days. It just puts me to sleep, but it is a break.
After three years I am very discouraged. My life is forever changed. I still seek answers, but I am very weary.
Good luck to you as well.

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Your eye burning, @kspoon - from Klonopin or from long COVID? Mine are and not from a drug. I have dry eyes as a result of aging and use drops a.m. and p.m. This is different. It seems to be part of the mouth rash/tongue swelling/tinnitus/musical tinnitus/ hearing loss - sorta laughing as in "all in my head" except it's really IN my head as well as other parts.

I'm only on year 2 and for you and others on this journey for longer, I dread my life and what will be as I seem to get new symptoms "overnight" - meaning within a week to a few days. That happened w/ my hearing loss.

This article "helps" to know what others have been through and imagine some among this group too have been referred to psychiatrists including in-patient. WHY can't we be believed? Posting this separately too. https://time.com/7206080/long-covid-psychiatric-wards/

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@jeindc

Your eye burning, @kspoon - from Klonopin or from long COVID? Mine are and not from a drug. I have dry eyes as a result of aging and use drops a.m. and p.m. This is different. It seems to be part of the mouth rash/tongue swelling/tinnitus/musical tinnitus/ hearing loss - sorta laughing as in "all in my head" except it's really IN my head as well as other parts.

I'm only on year 2 and for you and others on this journey for longer, I dread my life and what will be as I seem to get new symptoms "overnight" - meaning within a week to a few days. That happened w/ my hearing loss.

This article "helps" to know what others have been through and imagine some among this group too have been referred to psychiatrists including in-patient. WHY can't we be believed? Posting this separately too. https://time.com/7206080/long-covid-psychiatric-wards/

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Eye burning is not from Klonopin. I also have dry eyes and no amount of drops helps for very long.
I feel the same fears going forward. My condition only worsens, so where will I be next year? I’m told to take it day to day and that’s what I try to do, but it is hard as the symptoms get worse and stack up.

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@dloos

Eye burning is not from Klonopin. I also have dry eyes and no amount of drops helps for very long.
I feel the same fears going forward. My condition only worsens, so where will I be next year? I’m told to take it day to day and that’s what I try to do, but it is hard as the symptoms get worse and stack up.

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This article is well done to explain what we are going through and the impact on us of others' inconsideration.
https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/us-and-world/ap-us-news/ap-vulnerable-americans-live-in-the-shadow-of-covid-19-as-most-move-on/
Yes, day to day AND it is getting tougher and I'm just into my second year of this.

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@jeindc

This article is well done to explain what we are going through and the impact on us of others' inconsideration.
https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/us-and-world/ap-us-news/ap-vulnerable-americans-live-in-the-shadow-of-covid-19-as-most-move-on/
Yes, day to day AND it is getting tougher and I'm just into my second year of this.

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I feel my situation is different from the people in the article. I had no health issues to speak of. I was a very healthy, active person. I took reasonable precautions to avoid Covid, but did not live in mortal fear of contracting it. I figured if I got it, I’d get over it, and then have immunity, as with other viruses. When I did catch it from my grandchildren, it was a fairly mild case and I still wasn’t too concerned. I did try to find Paxlovid but it was not widely available yet.
So I recovered as with most viruses, and then six weeks later I began to have strange symptoms. First, after a plane trip to Hawaii, my ears clogged up, and would never clear. Three years later they are still clogged and closed. In addition I have developed tinnitus and hyperacusis. My vision has become blurry, and my digestion is totally wrecked. I attribute all to Covid. I don’t blame others for not masking up to protect me. They just don’t understand and I hope they never have to understand what I am now going through.
I try to keep my distance from others when I am out. I did catch the flu this winter which was especially hard added on to my chronic conditions.
I don’t know what lies ahead for me. I take it day to day, and hope that over time some of my symptoms will lessen.

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